Multiple-arch sling



Aug. 16,{-192.7-. 1,638,842

E. DE GEORGE MULTIPLE ARCH SLING Filed Sept. 4, 1924 .2: 216 j. wy

I r p 04 (7 1 M.

Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

A UNITED STATES nrnwxn m: L. GEORGE, or CANON crrY, COLORADO.

MULTIPLE-ARCH SLIN G.

Application filed September This invention relates to a. sling to be Worn upon a human foot, and for conven- .ence, the device may well be referred to as a multiplate arch sling, since this title is broadly descriptive of the purpose which the device is intended to serve.

Since it is the ligaments which support and maintain the bony arches of the foot, my improved appliance has been designed with the basic idea of assisting the ligaments which have become weakened through strain er other pathological conditions. to carry out their functions naturally and properly.

My object is to not fully support the tarsal arches, for by depriving the muscles. tendons and ligaments of their accustomed and normal function, they will atrophy from disuse.

.Observa-nt of the foregoing disastrous results caused from weakened ligaments, muscles and tendons. I have designed an appliance which affords a yieldabjle support for all of the arches of the foot, the appliance being such as to relieve excessive strain on the ligaments which function to sustain the arches. yet permitting free movement of all. osseous articulations and allowing the foot muscles to function normally.

One feature is derived from a structure which is such that after the part-s are once adjusted, they will maintain their relative set positions. Thus, the device may be removed by simply slipping the same off of the foot. Further, it may be initially adjusted by a skillful attendant, to maintain a fixed shape. and to insure effective and curative results from such proper adjustment.

There are other points of advantage to be mentioned, and these will be embodied. as the description goes on.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 discloses a perspective view of the improved sling, showing the same applied to a human foot representation.

Figure 2 is an inverted perspective view.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the appliance removed.

In the main, the improved appliance comprises a saddle 1, which is constructed from some pliable material, preferably linen. It mav be single or double ply. to guard against undue stretching. As is obvious. the saddle must, of necessity, be fashioned to fit comfortably upon the foot. to which it is to be ap lied. To assure proper maintenance, the sadidle provided at its opposite sides 2.

4, 1924. Serial H0. 735,874.

in which strips of whale bone or spring metal is confined. In order to make the saddle cvashable, it may be bordered by a suitable bindilu 3 stitched or otherwise secured ,to the edges of the saddle. and dis,- poscd at the proper angle with respect .to each other are short lengths of tapes 4, to the ends of which, elongated guide loops 5 and 6 are secured. In practice, these guide loops function somewhat like pulleys, and in positioning the tapes, care must be exervcised to dispose them at the proper angles to properly position the guide loops to equally distribute the stress exerted upon the saddle. At its rear end. the saddle is provided with a pair of fabric loops or stirrups 7 which serve a purpose to be hereinafter described. The saddle constitutes a support for elastic means. which is provided for simultaneously affording a yieldable support to the bones of the several arches 'of the foot. While .the elastic means could be of some other construction, it preferably comprises a single len th of elastic material generally designated by the reference character 8. As seen more plainly in Figure 3, the intermediate portion 9 of the elastic strap is disposed to extend transversely across the sole of the foot, the ends ,of the strap being passed through the rear pair of guide loops 6, and crossing each other as indicated at 10, the free end portions passing through the forward guide'loops 5. This may well be the normal position of parts.

'The application of the appliance is as follows:

Assuming that the parts have the relation seen in Figure 3, it will be seen that the saddle will be placed to correctly fit the dorsum of the foot. When the saddle is over the top and the crossed intermediate portions of the elastic strap extending beneath the sole of the foot. it will be seen that the portions 1 9 will be found beneath the plantar aspect of the foot, with the crossed portions 10 slightly in advance thereof. The free ends are now doubled back and caused to cross each other beneath the sole of the foot, the longer end of the elastic being carried upward and backward around the heel, to be fastened to the shorter end, in the depression below and posterior to an inner ankle bone.

An adjustable fastener 12 is provided for se uring the free ends of the straps tocether. After the appliance has been sees tag-sea,

it is only necessary to slip the heel strap off of the heel and the saddle over the toes to remove and apply the same. Adjustment of the elastic strap is necessary only when where is an excess slack from the stretch of the elastic as the arches are built upward. This adjustmentcan be done by the wearer. The lateral aspect of the appliance may be designed by leaving a triangular opening between straps 10 and 5, Figure 1, to accom modate the bony prominence on the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, in order to prevent discomfort. This determines the proper position of the device. As the elastic strap passes over the heel bone where it is subcutaneous, this has been so arranged as to allow the strap to pass over a bursa which is situated between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone, in order to eliminate any discomfort from undue pressure.

All the muscles, tendons and ligaments which sustain the arches are assisted by this appliance. In particular I would mention he tendon of the tibialis posticus muscle, as

" it crosses diagonally backward from the which play the most important part in maintaining the longitudinal arches of the foot. The diagonal and intersecting portions of the elastic as they pull across the plantar aspect of the foot from points 5" tend to buckle the anterior segment of the foot transversely, thereby assisting the interosseous muscles and ligaments in sustaining the anterior arch.

Before closing the description, I would call attention to the elastic straps which I use for the sake of permitting ready renewal and replacement. The use of these is important too, inasmuch as they may be furnished at any dry good-s store.

I claim:

1. A foot sling comprising a saddle fashioned to fit upon the dorsum of the foot, guide loops at the corners of said saddle, an elastic strap having its intermediate portion passed through the opposed guide loop at one end of the saddle and having its end portions crossing each other diagonally and passed through the remaining'guide loops.

2. A foot sling of the character described comprising a fabric saddle provided at opposed ends with flexible reinforcing elements, guide loops at the corners of said saddle, additional elongated loops carried by the rear end portion of the saddle, and an elastic strap adapted to be laced through said loops in a manner to yieldablysupport the ligaments tendons and muscles which support the bony arches of the foot.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

ELLWYN DE L. GEORGE. 

